A study published in Nutrients has revealed that Microphyt's microalgae nutraceutical, ZenGut, can enhance mood and mental wellbeing.
This follows the ingredient's launch at SupplySide West in October 2024 — which is packed with bioactives such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), PEA, lutein and phenylalanine.
Researchers from the Colorado State University believe that ZenGut influences mental health via the gut-brain axis, as the solution was able to reduce digestive discomfort by up to 23% in a two week period.
Notably, supplementation with ZenGut also enhanced gut microbiota diversity; increasing the richness of microbrial species and the evenness of gut microbiota distribution — suggesting that the nutraceutical could act as a prebiotic.
These results highlight ZenGut's potential as a targeted prebiotic ingredient for natural mental health support.
The study
To assess the efficacy of ZenGut in a real-world setting, researchers from the Colorado State University conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 56 adults with mild to moderate gastrointestinal problems.
Participants were randomised to receive 250mg per day of ZenGut or a placebo for a four week period.
They then assessed each volunteer's gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as results from mental health questionnaires, which were taken at baseline, two weeks and four weeks into the study.
Biomarkers of stress, gut permeability and gastrointestinal function were also measured through blood, saliva and stool samples — allowing scientists to evaluate changes in gut microbiota composition.
ZenGut targets the gut-brain axis
During the four week study period, supplementation with ZenGut was found to enhance digestive health significantly, with participants experiencing a 23% improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms.
These effects were seen within two weeks, and constituted improvements in indigestion scores, as well as constipation.
The nutraceutical also increased microbial diversity by increasing the species richness found in the gut, while also promoting the even spread of gut microbes across the gut.
Participants also reported improvements in emotional wellbeing, with questionnaires revealing that they felt less distressed, afraid, irritable, nervous and upset — suggesting that ZenGut can help users to better regulate their emotions.
This change was objectively observed by a drop in plasma chromogranin A, a key biomarker of stress, which dropped by 36% in the ZenGut group.
“With clinically supported efficacy, a low 250 mg dose and a broad range of health benefits, ZenGut presents exciting product innovation opportunities," said Christel Lemaire, Microphyt Marketing Manager, Nutraceutical Ingredients.
“This study reinforces the key role of the gut-brain axis in managing mental and digestive wellness and showcases the potential of microalgae ingredients to innovate in dietary supplements," added Dr Jonathan Maury, Clinical Research Program Manager at Microphyt and co-author of the study.